Udrih, Barry shoot Spurs to 112-89 victory over Hornets

Beno Udrih made his first NBA start and played like a stater with a career-high 25 points in the Spurs’ 112-89 victory over the New Orleans Hornets. Brent Barry also made the most of a start by hitting three consecutive 3-point attempts, snapping a slump when he had made just 5 of his last 30.

“It’s the first time in my life that happened,” Udrih told KENS 5 Eyewitness News after the game. “My dream has come true. It’s a really great feeling. Hopefully that’s going to be more usual in the next years. I’m just trying to do my job the best I can.”

Udrih, a rookie from Slovenia, was in the lineup in place of Tony Parker, who was out with a left quad contusion. Udrih hit 9 of 13 from the field and also had four rebounds and four assists. Manu Ginobili also missed the game due to injury.

“Even if Tony is out, Manu or anybody, we just try to play team basketball and play hard defense,” Udrih said. “That’s the first goal. When you play good defense you have some easy baskets. Moving the ball in the offense, you get some open shots. There was many open shots.”

Barry, starting in place of Ginobili, was known as a strong outside shooter before coming to San Antonio. He had struggled this season, his first as a Spur and was averaging 6.6 points. He finished with 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

The Spurs hit 13 of 19 from 3-point range.

Tim Duncan had 18 points and 13 rebounds. He had missed the previous two games, both Spurs losses, with an ankle sprain.

Bruce Bowen had 18 points, three rebounds and three assists. He hit 3 of 4 from 3-point range.